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31.07.2006 Autodelta is proud to introduce its latest bespoke model, the 220 bhp Autodelta GT JTS Super

Autodelta is proud to introduce its latest bespoke model, the 220 bhp Autodelta GT JTS Super, the first forced-induction version of the JTS-engined Alfa Romeo GT to arrive on the market worldwide. This latest model in fact follows hard on the heels of the Autodelta 156 JTS Super which was launched two months ago, and it extends the principle of applying supercharging to the Alfa Romeo JTS engine further across the model range.

However, while the recent Autodelta 156 JTS Super closely followed the tuner’s long-standing tradition of launching new bespoke Autodelta models at events near to London (the Autodelta 156 JTS Super was officially launched at the Auto Italia Spring Italian Car Day at Brooklands, just a stone’s throw from their headquarters), the new Autodelta GT JTS Super was unveiled in Athens, Greece, the very first time they have publicly presented a new model overseas.

The Autodelta GT JTS Super was officially unveiled last week by Autodelta’s authorised Greek dealer, Auto Corse, at their national central operations HQ in Athens. It was a launch which clearly emphasised the importance of Autodelta’s rapidly-growing network of authorised dealers located across the globe, each of which is able to complement and enhance the services offered by their London base. Operating under the banner of “Autodelta International”, there are now factory-authorised dealers located in Costa Rica, Cyprus, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Japan, Poland, Russia, Switzerland and Thailand. A further three new authorised agents, located outside Europe will be added to this roster later in the year. Each agent is able to offer a full range of services including parts and accessory retailing, while their own technicians receive Autodelta factory training. Where circumstances dictate, Autodelta will fly in its own factory technicians to provide input to specific scenarios. “Autodelta strives to achieve the very highest technical and presentational standards in a truly exclusive environment. All our agents have been carefully hand-picked to reflect our core values, receive on-going training, and have been imbued with our central philosophies,” says Autodelta’s Jano Djelalian.

Auto Corse has been the sole authorised Greek dealer for Autodelta since 2002. Company founder Stathis Magos established Auto Corse after 30 years at the forefront of Greek rallying and a stunning successful career that encompasses a record twelve Greek National Rally Championship titles. Looking to create a firm that could comfortably meet the demands and requirements of Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Lancia and Ferrari owners located across Greece, he chose to establish a strategic tie-up with Autodelta, building on contacts he had first made with Jano Djelalian in 1998. In the intervening four years, Auto Corse has developed a national network of Autodelta sub-dealers in many of the major Greek towns and cities, including Athens, Thessaloniki, Patra, Volos, as well as on the island of Crete. “Our business target is to offer the best service, technical and marketing standards in Greece in order to allow Alfisti to enjoy absolute mastery of the road, and in striving for this aim we are pleased to be able to work in partnership with Autodelta who have set the leading standards in the evolution of Alfa Romeo models,” says Mr Magos, whose firm manages the official “Fiat Auto Hellas” rally team operation. The involvement between Stathis Magos and Fiat at the forefront of Greek Rally started in 1996 with the advent of the Fiat Cinquecento Championship before he developed the Fiat (and then its successor the Seicento) for GpA use, the tiny cars going on to sweep up two National F2 titles. Auto Corse then ran a Fiat Punto Kit Car, winning the Greek National Rally Championship F2 title in 2002 (after having claimed Class A6 victory on every round and second place in the standings overall). After sweeping to another F2 title the next year Fiat Auto Hellas acquired a Punto Evo04 (Super1600) in 2004, which won the team another title while the team’s Punto Kit Car was second. Last year they brought home another title while this year sees them upholding the Fiat Auto Hellas banner once more, aiming at bringing yet more glory to the Turinese brand.

”We’re delighted to be able to launch our new model here in Greece in full conjunction with Auto Corse,” commented Jano Djelalian during the Autodelta GT JTS Super’s official unveiling. “Auto Corse is an excellent company with the highest of standards and so fits perfectly with our objectives – their huge number of rally titles testifies to their professionalism and ability. They are also true Alfa Romeo enthusiasts, breathing the spirit of the brand, very important characteristics that we share and wish to see. Greece has become an important market for Autodelta, with strong demands for our products and performance enhancement programmes. We look forward to a long and successful relationship with Auto Corse in the future,” he adds.

The Autodelta GT JTS Super has become the first supercharged production version of Alfa Romeo's highly-rated JTS (Jet Thrust Stoichiometric) direct injection petrol engine in the GT Coupé, and in fact Autodelta are the only firm worldwide to offer supercharging technology on the Alfa Romeo JTS engine. Actually, of all the major global carmakers, only the VW-Audi Group currently applies forced induction principles to the new generation of efficient EURO4 compliant direct injection technology petrol engines. Direct injection engines have surged in popularity in recent years with many major carmakers embracing this option. With these evolutionary engines, fuel is delivered directly into the cylinder where it is then mixed with the incoming air. Conventional fuel injection engines use a process that sees the fuel and air mixed prior to entry to the cylinder, causing partial evaporation to occur. Direct injection brings the fuel introduction point as close as is possible to the point of combustion, resulting in improved control. The fuel injectors are located below the intake ports which only introduce air to the combustion chamber, unlike a fuel injection engine, resulting in increased efficiency. The direct injection engine allows a slightly higher compression ratio to be used, resulting in improved fuel efficiency at low and medium revs. The improved fuel delivery system allows a lowering of emissions, particularly during the 'cold start' procedure. Power output of this engine has been raised by Autodelta to 220 bhp @ 6,600rpm while the peak torque delivered is boosted to 192 lb/ft @ 3,400rpm.